BSc single honours Policing (In service) 2018/19

Year of entry

2018/19

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Are you a serving police officer or member of police staff? Would you like to learn more about policing, to help you take the next step in your career? If so, then our BSc (Hons) Policing degree may be for you.

If you are a serving police officer, or work in a related occupation, then you can enrol on our BSc (Hons) Policing programme to gain an academic qualification while continuing your normal work. Our three-year part-time programme has been designed specifically with serving officers and police staff in mind, and recognises operational and support experience as a core part of learning. We aim to build on this invaluable experience and provide a detailed insight into the research and theory behind modern policing practice.

The course is taught over four study weekends per year (In Canterbury) and extra taught sessions in London. The usual format is Friday and Saturday for the study weekends and Tuesday mornings in London. There are usually 3/4 sessions in London per module which are normally held every other week.

“I was looking for a new challenge, something that complemented my 18 years as an operational police officer and something that would challenge my mind. Reading for a BSc (Hons) in Policing not only quenched my thirst, it's provided me with the comprehensive knowledge and understanding of policing I'd been looking for. Taught by a cohort of professional and energetic lecturers, this is an opportunity I wished I had 10 years ago.”

You can expect to study a wide range of different topics to help you develop a broader understanding of the issues surrounding crime and policing. These include debates about issues such as procedural and organisational justice, the implementation of the Code of Ethics, the professionalisation of policing, and the drive for evidence-based practices.

More detailed information for each module will be provided in appropriate module handbooks.

Year 1

Level 5 - there are three core modules that you must complete:

Theories and Techniques of Crime Control (20 credits at HE5)

Delivered in Semester One

The aim of the module is to provide students with a broader understanding of the issues surrounding the development of the study of crime, the pertinent criminological and sociological theories that have emerged as a result and how these ideas have evolved historically. The module will therefore focus on the historical and sociological context from which theories of crime and its control have emerged and developed over time.

Liberal Democratic Policing (20 credits at HE5)

Delivered in Semester Two

The aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding of the political, legal and constitutional positioning of the police within the liberal democratic contexts of the United Kingdom. The focus will be on the values and principles of policing associated with Peel from the time of the introduction of the modern police within England and Wales in 1829 and the extent to which these are changing within contemporary policing.

Reflective Practitioner (20 credits at HE5)

Delivered across Semester One and Two

Students will be provided with an understanding of the principles/models of reflection and how the acquisition of theoretical knowledge can link to their day-to-day practice in the workplace, in light of the current focus of embedding education and continuous learning more systematically within the policing profession. Therefore, there is an emphasis for students to reflect on their learning in the classroom and how this relates to practice, as police practitioner students.

Year 2

Level 6 (part 1) - in year 2 of the programme you must complete the following three modules:

International Policing (20 credits at HE6)

Delivered in Semester One

The aim of the module is to provide students with an advanced knowledge of how policing is constituted within liberal democratic contexts. It seeks to develop the student’s critical understanding of the relationships between the police and, on the one hand, nation states, and on the other hand, citizens. It aims to provide students with greater understanding of developments in policing internationally and awareness of the insights comparative research brings to the study of policing in the UK.

The Application of Theory to Police Practice (20 credits at HE6)

Delivered in Semester Two

The aim of the module is to provide students with an understanding and knowledge of how crime theories (from sociological, psychological and criminological perspectives) interact with and influence modern day police practice and crime control methods. The module will enable students to consider the application of science and theory to a police context and some of the wider societal and political issues which may have influenced this at particular points in history. The module will touch on how policing has become managed more as a business, including considerations of value for money, correct resource deployment and performance management.

Contemporary Policing Insights (20 credits at HE6)

Delivered across Semester One and Two

The module aims to provide students with an understanding around some of the current policing issues with a focus on changing demand for police resources (for example: mental health), leadership and cultivating change, and police cultural issues in the context of evidence-informed practice. Therefore, students will be asked to consider their own professional practice in the work place through the work-based learning assessments, linking the academic learning obtained from this module alongside the others taught on the Programme.

Year 3

Level 6 (part 2): in year 3 of the programme you must complete the following level 6 modules:

Research Awareness (20 credits at HE6)

The aim of the module is to help students prepare for, conduct and complete their final year, literature based dissertation. It will seek to raise the student’s awareness of the qualities associated with academic writing, in particular within a literature review. It also aims to raise the critical understanding students have of a range of different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the type of research methods that have been applied to police research in the past in order to increase their appreciation of methodological issues that have shaped the research of others.

Dissertation (40 credits at HE6)

The primary aim of the dissertation is develop within a student the ability to research and analyse an aspect of policing in depth, and construct a well-reasoned argument based on his or her findings. The aim of the dissertation is also to develop the student’s ability to manage their time effectively and to manage the processes of identifying and reading across a wide range of sources before documenting, analysing and presenting findings.

Each module (three per year for year 1 and 2) has two assessments which are generally weighted at 25% and 75% for the final module mark. Students have to pass all the modules to progress but do not have to pass all the assignments if the module pass mark (40%) is reached. There is one exam in year 1 (first module) which is a three hour/three questions exam. This is the only exam over the three years.

The final year is made up of a dissertation and a research awareness module which provides content in relation to the research process and an understanding of methodology. Alongside the submission of a 10,000 word dissertation, students are also required to submit a research awareness portfolio comprising of a number of tasks. However each of the tasks set for those assessments are tasks that would normally be set within the timetable for your dissertation with your tutor.

Students are set a one to one tutor for the third year with expertise in the area if study where possible. The dissertation for this programme is a literature based study and involves no empirical research.

All of our modules are taught by experts in their field – many of whom are actively involved in research and consultancy. Many of our staff have experience of policing themselves or have worked as researchers in the police organisation. We utilise recent research findings directly into our teaching, so you will learn the most up-to-date and relevant thinking on modern policing practice. The School also works in collaboration with The College of Policing which means only the most current issues and considerations for policing feature in the programme.

Members of the department publish a wide range of books, articles and reports. These include Policing at the Top, Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students , Blackstone’s Policing for the Special Constable, Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking, and Understanding Criminal Investigation to name but a few.

Studying for a degree while working is not easy, and you should not underestimate the amount work involved. However we understand the many challenges you will face, and provide a friendly and supportive environment to help you make the most of your studies. We will even assign you a one-to-one tutor for the duration of your time with us.

"I highly recommend the policing degree at CCCU. it has helped me see the current issues affecting the police in a different light and identify with new ideas which are shaping how we police. Anyone that is passionate about the job would find the course exceptionally useful and helpful in any role. I have used the skills that I have obtained through the course numerous times already. It helps that the course lead and lecturers are really personable and available for help on request. I have enjoyed the first year and look forward to learning more next year."

Fees

The 2018/19 annual tuition fees for this course are:

UK/EU

Overseas

Part-time

£1470 per year over three years

n/a

The annual fees for this programme are £1470 for one year of study on a part time basis. You will pay equivalent amounts for years 2 and 3 of the degree. Fees are reviewed every year and are normally revised in line with inflation, so the fees for years 2 and 3 will be £1470 plus an inflationary increase. Please note that the set fee is priced competitively and has already been heavily subsidised by the University.

Where fees are paid by the student, they can be paid over 8 equal instalments; the first payment at registration by cheque or credit card followed by 7 monthly direct debit payments.

Bursaries may be awarded to individual police officers, however these vary and you need to check with your own service. If your service is paying your fees, you will need to provide a name and address to whom an invoice should be sent to.

Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.

You need to select ‘Apply for a Course’ (top left hand side of the page), select 2018-2019 as a year of study from the drop down box, use the keyword ‘policing’ and press search. This will return four courses, select the course:

PPSDGPOLICE BSc (Hons) Policing. This will initiate the online application and instructions will follow.

Unfortunately, we have a limited number of places so we recommend that you complete your application as completely and as accurately as possible by the specified deadline. Use the personal statement section of the form to tell us why you think you would be a suitable candidate for the course and why you wish to pursue this degree.

You will be informed of your suitability to the course by August 2018 and you may be required to attend an interview, depending on the extent of your experience. The purpose of the interview will be to identify areas of development within the APL/APEL process and to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about the programme.